The Israeli military said it struck nine Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip in a bid to deter Palestinians from launching incendiary kites and balloons into Israel.

The army said the Monday's airstrikes were a response "to arson and explosive kites and balloons" launched into Israel in recent weeks.

During the bombings, Palestinian militants fired three rockets into southern Israel.  

No injuries were reported on either side.

Gazans began flying kites with burning rags attached to them during mass protests against the Israeli and Egyptian blockade of the territory.

The incendiary kites and balloons have devastated large swaths of farmland and nature reserves in southern Israel.